What is the study of choice for diagnosing an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

The abdominal ultrasound is the study of choice for diagnosing an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) primarily due to its safety, accessibility, and effectiveness in visualizing the aorta. Ultrasound is a non-invasive and radiation-free imaging modality that can quickly assess the size and presence of an aneurysm, making it especially useful in emergency settings or for patients who may not tolerate other imaging methods well.

In clinical practice, abdominal ultrasound is frequently used, particularly for screening in at-risk populations, such as older adults or those with a family history of aortic aneurysms. The results can be obtained rapidly, allowing for timely management decisions. Additionally, ultrasound is effective at determining the dimensions of the aneurysm, which is crucial for monitoring its growth and planning potential interventions.

Other imaging modalities like CT scans and MRIs are useful for more detailed anatomical information or when complications are suspected, but they involve radiation exposure (in the case of CT) or may be more resource-intensive (in the case of MRI), which limits their initial use in diagnosis. Aortography, while historically used, is now less common for this purpose due to the invasiveness and risks associated with catheterization. Thus, the abdominal ultrasound stands out as the preferred option for initial diagnosis of